Top Bars in Grand Rapids for Those Looking to Save a Buck

With the economy still down, most people are looking to save a dollar just about anyway they can. Entertainment sales are down, the number of people taking vacations are down, and bar sales throughout the country are down. The expensive drinks and the long lines are enough to turn people away from the "bar scene". However, if you choose the right time to go and the right bar, you might find yourself a deal worth checking out. Here are some of the better bar deals I've found in Grand Rapids:

Monday:

Flanagan's Irish Pub: Your typical Irish Pub, Flanagan's offer a large amount of beer, and of course, green beer. Not a whole lot of cheap deals offered by this bar, but you'll find $2.25 Wells drinks on a Monday night.

Tuesday:

Monte's Lounge: This popular special appeals only to the students. "College Night" at Monte's Lounge consists of their 2-1-2 special. From 9pm-10pm, U-Call-Its are $2, from 10pm-11pm, $1, and from 11pm-12am, $2. Get their early or reserve a table because this place gets packed with a line out the door to get in at around 11pm.

O'Toole's: Located right next to Monte's Lounge, this bar is a much more "chill" bar. Less people, not as loud, but still great prices on Tuesday nights. $1 beer night from 9pm-12am will give you somewhere to go if you find Monte's to be too busy or too loud.

Wednesday:

J. Gardella's Tavern: My personal favorite for bars in Grand Rapids; however, it's also one of the more expensive bars. Wednesday is relief to that as they offer "1/2 off Wednesday" to their customers.

Mojo's Dueling Piano Bar and Restaurant: A similar deal to Monte's on Tuesday night, Mojo's offers $1 drinks from 9pm-10pm and $2 drinks from 10pm-12am. This is probably the most diverse crowd you will see of any other bars on this list as the majority are "college bars". What can expect though being in a college town?

Thursday:

Hopcat: If you live in the Grand Rapids area, this is a bar you have to check out simply because of its world-wide reputation. Rated by Beer Advocate as the 3rd best beer bar in the world, Hopcat offers the widest range of beer you will ever see under one roof. Although expensive, you can find a deal on Thursday evenings as it is "$3 Thursdays" from 6pm-9pm. This makes the trip worth it as most beer on the menu are at least $5 or $6 dollars.

McFadden's Restaurant and Saloon: A more up-beat bar dancing bar, McFadden's attractant to many is its $2 U-Call-It on Thursday nights from 9pm-12am. If you're heading out here on a Thursday night, bring your dancing shoes and your Michael Jackson moves, this is one of the better dance floors you'll find in Grand Rapids (unless you're heading to a dance club).

Friday:

Eve, located in the Bob: The Bob, or Big Old Building, is a 70,000 square foot, 4-story building that consists of bars, restaurants, dance clubs, and comedy clubs. Each bar has it's own specials or deals to offer; however, the Eve appeals the most to many, especially the ladies looking for a good time. Free cover for woman along with half-off martinis and wine are enough to real in the woman on a Friday night.

Saturday:

Uccello's Ristorante: The place to go on a Saturday afternoon to watch your favorite college football team. Voted Grand Rapid's #1 Sports Lounge for the previous 8 years, Uccello's Ristorante typically offers drink deals during many college football games and during all Detroit sports games. Not to mention, their food is delicious.

Sunday:

Peppinos Downtown Grille and Pizzeria: If you're simply looking to get some food, Peppinos offers 50 cent wings all day on Sundays. In addition, a $3 Bloody Mary Bar and $3.50 22 oz. Coors Light Drafts would accompany your meal if you choose.

The Birds: Coming to a City Near You

The city of Grand Rapids has been in the news far too much lately for it's unfortunate and heart-breaking stories. Starting with the tragic shooting rampage on July 7th that left seven dead and ending with Grand Rapid's own, First Lady Betty Ford's death, this city has seen it's share of catastrophe in the past few weeks. Lately, a new obscure phenomenon has been taking place and gaining public attention quickly: the Angry Birds. Called by some a re-enactment of Alfred Hitchcock's 1963 horror film, "The Birds", Grand Rapids is now in code red as these flying devils are dive-bombing, head-pecking, and shit blasting any unlucky person quietly walking through their territory. Striking fear in many, you can now find Grand Rapids' citizens walking through the city on a gorgeous, 80 degree day with a rain suit and an umbrella to prevent themselves from being the latest victim of this dangerous coalition of birds. Check out the video:

Nicknamed "Angry Bird" by several media and victims, this type of bird is known as a red-winged blackbird. They are extremely territorial and are most likely guarding a nest full of eggs. I personally, along with my brother and my fiance, have been innocently victimized by these birds. Walking by the Grand Rapids museum, their "home-base", this Angry Bird attempted the stealthy dive bomb tactic. Initially, the bird gave us a subtle warning sign by squawking and chirping in an angry, "I'm going to kick your ass" type of a noise. Scary as it was, it was obvious this flying devil-of-a-bird didn't want us near it's territory; however, we did the unthinkable and challenged the bird in some hand-to-hand combat. They say when you're facing a bear, you want to make your self look bigger and make as much noise as possible to scare it away. Well, with this tiny, yet ferocious, enemy, we took a very similar strategy. All three of us we're running in circles, yelling as loud as we could with our hands flailing in the air. Little did we know, the bird retreated back to cover acting like it was the first time it had been faced before. For a moment in time, we felt like heroes. We faced the bird that has been gaining national recognition for its Pearl Harbor-like tactics by attacking unarmed citizens in a surprising manner. Then, in an act of a perfectly planned strategy, the bird called in back-up........

just kidding that part never happened.

Unfortunately, these birds are beginning to grow in numbers and increase their size of territory. Let's just hope we don't find a nest outside our own home, apartment, or condominium. And, according to the news, these birds are starting to create new zones of terror in other major cities as Chicago is also currently under attack. In addition, according to the bird's Twitter account, AngryBirdGR, London is the next big city to be victimized. There's only one last thing to say: get your old army helmets out of the closet and go buy a nice umbrella and a rain suit because the Angry Birds are coming to a city near you.

What Up Grand Rapids?

by Matt Netzel

In January, MainStreet.com named Grand Rapids, Michigan, 10th on its list of America's "dying cities." It's possible nobody would have ever learned about this dubious distinction, but Newsweek picked up the story on its website, giving folks living in the Midwestern city -- and nearby Detroit and Flint -- something to be bummed about in addition to massive unemployment and home foreclosures.

First off, how are Griffin and P-Beads not in this video? They ARE Grand Rapids. Getting to my point, I love it when people say "Oh, this is in Michigan. It must be shitty, poor, and 'dying'." They make this assumption without leaving their little glass house to get any insight about the area whatsoever. The west side of the state has some of the most old money in the country. It's no Connecticut or South Carolina, but the West coast of Michigan is a destination that no one gives nearly enough credit. From the white sand beaches of Torch Lake all the way down to the debaucherous spring break atmosphere on the shores of Grand Haven and South Haven, the west side is on FIRE in the summer. Slam pieces everywhere. Multi-million dollar properties being treated like the Penthouse Suite at the Drake. Who gives a shit? The "help" is gonna clean that shit up Monday morning anyway. Week in and week out, just insane.


The winter is a slightly different story. Everyone in the snowy states hibernates all winter, but not as much in Grand Rapids. Ya things slow down, but thats no excuse to not have a wild weekend in mid January. Friday night Grand Rapids Griffins' home games are $1 beers $1 dogs. A FUCKING DOLLAR! Do you hear me? Every Friday is like 10 cent beer night went wrong back in Cleveland in '74. I know a certain member of the coalition who has seized the day and ended up peeing in a trash can on the concourse. It's just par for the course. After the game straight to HopCat brewery which has about 100 beers on tap including Grand Rapids famous Founders Brewery beers. Had some beers from Cali and Detroit Beer Co. and came to on the top floor club at the BOB doing Rumple minze shots with 10 Asian cougars.

Now tell me those are characteristics of a "dying city" in America and I'll show you someone throwing up at 7:30pm in Van Andel Arena on a Friday night. Sheer entertainment and enjoyment for all. Makes me feel alive at least.

My point being is this: arguments can be made about Flint dying (because it is), and Detroit dying (have you ever been to the Eastside? Dead. Downtown, alive. East side, dead. I see their point here.), but not Grand Rapids. You think this uber douche from Newsweek has been to Grand Rapids? Prolly Google researching "cities in Michigan/Ohio/California/(insert state with weak economy here). Sweat list, bro. Keep up the stellar journalistic investigation.